Kimberly Cox has been with the City of Eden Prairie in Minnesota since 2000. She serves a dual role with the department – she is a firefighter as well as the Admin Assistant to the Chief. In her role as a firefighter, she responds to emergencies rotating between Engineer, Officer, and Firefighter and EMT. She possesses certifications as a FFII, EMT/Community EMT, Apparatus Operator, HazMat Tech, Fire Inspector II, and Fire Investigator II. One of her duties within the department is to work on recruitment efforts. She also serves on the Education Committee of the Minnesota State Fire Chief’s Association.
Since 2006, Kimberly has been the President of the North Star Women’s Firefighter Association (NSWFA), as well as one of the founders of the organization. The NSWFA began as a non-profit within the State of Minnesota but has recently become a section under the Minnesota State Fire Chief’s Association. As the President of the NSWFA, Kimberly has planned, coordinated and commanded several training sessions, conferences, and recruitment events throughout the state.
Kimberly also works with the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services (iWomen). She had been a member since 2006 after attending her first iWomen Conference in Arizona. After attending additional conferences, she became a trustee in 2015. In 2016, she was given the opportunity to become the Executive Director where she works closely with the President and the rest of the Board to provide networking, mentoring, and resources for diversity and inclusivity within the fire service.
Other boards Kimberly belongs to include the IAFC Volunteer Workforce Solutions, the NVFC Recruitment and Retention Board, and the NVFC Health & Safety Board.
Kimberly is passionate about recruitment and retention efforts not only for women, but for all those who have the desire to become a member of the greatest occupation – the fire service.